Poland in Saudi Arabia

The Fourth Meeting of the Polish-Saudi Joint Committee was held in Riyadh on June 11-12, ending with the signing of the committee’s minutes by the head of the Polish delegation, Deputy Foreign Minister Paweł Jabłoński. This was the first event of its kind in 7 years (the meeting of the Third Polish-Saudi Mixed Commission took place on May 11-13, 2016 in Warsaw).

This year's meeting stood out in terms of the number of participants.

On the Polish side, the event was attended by 34 participants from 16 government ministries and government agencies, including:

- National Center for Agricultural Support,

- Chief Veterinarian Officer,

- Naval Academy,

- Polish Tourism Organization.

In addition to MFA Undersecretary of State Pawel Jablonski, the Polish delegation included:

- Secretary of State of the Ministry of Finance Artur Soboń,

- Undersecretary of State of the Chancellery of the Prime Minister Izabela Antos,

- Undersecretary of State of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development Krzysztof Ciecióra,

- Undersecretary of the Ministry of Interior and Administration Bartosz Grodecki (5 deputy ministers).

The Saudi side was led by Deputy Foreign Minister for Political and Economic Affairs Dr. Saud Al-Sati. It was represented by 31 delegates from 18 ministries and government agencies, including:

- Zakat, Tax, and Customs Authority,

- General Authority of Civil Aviation,

- Halal Center,

- Central Bank.

Among the Saudi representatives were members of the royal family, including H.R.H. Prince Fahd bin Badr Al-Saud (Interior Ministry), H.H. Prince Saud bin Fahd Al-Saud (Ministry of Defense), and Deputy Finance Minister Dr. Riad Alkhareif.

During the speeches by the heads of the Polish and Saudi delegations, they assured of their readiness to strengthen political and economic relations (including in the agri-food sector, finance, energy or cyber security), and announced the organization of further high-level visits. The need for more frequent meetings and consultations was also raised, including more regular and frequent organization of the meetings of the Joint Committee.

The signing of the committee’s protocol, on June 12, took place in the presence of the ambassadors of both countries.

Minister P. Jabłoński, on the sidelines of the event, participated in a number of meetings at Saudi ministries and government agencies. On June 11, he met with the Minister of Commerce, Dr. Majid Al Qasabi. In turn, on June 12 this year. Minister P. Jabłoński met with Deputy Minister of Sport, Badr Al Kadi, with Minister of Investment, Khalid Al Falih, as well as with representatives of the Public Investment Fund, SABIC and the Saudi Data and Artificial Intelligence Authority. The meetings were also attended by deputy ministers, as well as representatives of relevant ministries, including the director of the Department of Economic Cooperation (DWE) of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Mr Tomasz Jamróz, and the director of the Investment Development Department of the Ministry of Economic Development and Technology, Ms Łucja Sromecka.

The presentation of Polish business was an important element of the meetings. Companies recommended by Polish Trade and Investment Agency, National Chamber of Commerce and Polish Ministry of Foreign Affairs, including WAWA Group, LUG Light Factory, KCM Clinic, Asseco, participated in the meetings with relevant ministries.

The embassy helped organize bilateral meetings between other ministries and Saudi counterparts. Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development Krzysztof Ciecióra met with Assistant Deputy Minister of Environment, Water and Agriculture of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia on June 11.The meeting was also attended by Chief Veterinary Officer Paweł Niemczuk and Deputy Director of the National Center for Agricultural Support Adrian Gawłowski. Then, on June 12 this year, the Chief Veterinary Officer in the headquarters of the Saudi Food and Drug Authority (SFDA) met with Dr. Mohammed Dahhas, Executive Director of Inspection Support, Dr. Meshal Al Mutairi, Executive Director of Monitoring and Risk Assessment, Mohammed Abuabah, Director of International Bilateral Relations, Hassan Abaakhali, Director of Food Factory Inspection, Mohannad AlKhaldi, Factory and Product Inspection Expert, Sultan Bokheder Senior Monitoring Specialist, and Lama Alharbi, International Relations Expert.

The program also included a joint tour of The Line Experience exhibition, visited by Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki in March this year, presenting the vision of the Saudi NEOM megaproject.

The Polish-Saudi Business Forum was held at the Federation of Saudi Chambers (FSC) in Riyadh on June 11. The inauguration was attended by Minister Pawel Jablonski, who delivered a speech on the potential for the development of trade between Poland and Saudi Arabia, as well as presenting the competitive advantages and strengths of the Polish economy.

The event, co-organized by the FSC, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Polish Trade and Investment Agency and the National Chamber of Commerce, was attended by more than 50 companies and government institutions from both countries. During the Forum, President of the Federation of Saudi Chambers Hassan Al-Howaizy and Chairman of the Council of the National Chamber of Commerce Janusz Wiśniewski renewed the cooperation agreement.

The Embassy’s efforts led to the organization of two receptions providing an opportunity to continue talks and networking, especially between Polish and Saudi business representatives. On June 11, a reception was given at the residence of the Polish Ambassador to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in honor of the visit of Minister Paweł Jabłoński and the accompanying political and business delegation, while a similar event organized by Dr. Emad Abdulaziz Al Thukair took place on June 12